US20190317318A1 - Optical element and imaging lens - Google Patents

Optical element and imaging lens Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20190317318A1
US20190317318A1 US16/185,977 US201816185977A US2019317318A1 US 20190317318 A1 US20190317318 A1 US 20190317318A1 US 201816185977 A US201816185977 A US 201816185977A US 2019317318 A1 US2019317318 A1 US 2019317318A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lens
optical element
imaging lens
edge part
element according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US16/185,977
Other versions
US10955660B2 (en
Inventor
Nobuyuki OOTSU
Koji Yoshikawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tokyo Visionary Optics Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Kantatsu Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kantatsu Co Ltd filed Critical Kantatsu Co Ltd
Publication of US20190317318A1 publication Critical patent/US20190317318A1/en
Assigned to KANTATSU CO., LTD. reassignment KANTATSU CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OHTSU, NOBUYUKI, YOSHIKAWA, KOJI
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US10955660B2 publication Critical patent/US10955660B2/en
Assigned to KANTATSU CO., LTD. reassignment KANTATSU CO., LTD. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Assignors: KANTATSU CO., LTD.
Assigned to TOKYO VISIONARY OPTICS CO., LTD. reassignment TOKYO VISIONARY OPTICS CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KANTATSU CO., LTD.
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/0018Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00 with means for preventing ghost images

Definitions

  • the present application relates to an optical element used in an imaging device, and also relates to an imaging lens using the optical element.
  • the camera mounted in such equipment and devices is required to have an imaging lens which is capable of reducing ghosts and flares and taking clear images.
  • an imaging lens which is capable of reducing ghosts and flares and taking clear images.
  • Patent Document 1 US2017/0176649A1
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging lens module including a plurality of lens elements of which at least one lens element is a plastic lens. Therein, at least one surface of an object-side surface or an image-side surface of the plastic lens of the plurality of the lens elements is provided with a fitting part for fitting other lens which is formed so as to surround the circumference of an effective optical portion. Furthermore, coating for absorbing lights is carried out to an area connecting the effective optical portion and the fitting part, reflected stray light is controlled, and quality of images are improved. Additionally, the imaging lens is disclosed which shields the stray light by arranging a light shielding sheet between the plurality of the lens elements.
  • the imaging lens disclosed in the Patent Document 1 is only capable of shielding the lights on a surface part of a lens edge part, it is not enough for shielding the stray lights passing through inside of the lens and being reflected.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical element capable of controlling reflection of a stray light on a surface part and inside thereof by providing a light shielding configuration inside the optical element, and to provide an imaging lens using the optical element.
  • an optical element according to the present invention is the optical element made of a resin material and comprising an effective optical portion and an edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion, and comprises a light shielding area inside of the edge part, or from the surface to the inside of the same.
  • an imaging lens according to the present invention is the optical element made of a resin material and comprising an effective optical portion and an edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion, and comprises an optical element having the light shielding area inside of the edge part, or from a surface to inside of the same.
  • the present invention it is possible to form a light shielding area at a required area inside the optical element made of the resin material when necessary, therefore, reflection of stray lights at a surface part of the optical element and inside of the optical element can be controlled, and ghosts and flares are reduced.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of an optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing reflection of unnecessary lights inside a conventional optical element.
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view showing the optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4 showing an embodiment of the light shielding area.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4 showing an embodiment of the light shielding area.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a common imaging lens.
  • FIG. 8A shows an unnecessary light occurring inside the imaging lens of FIG. 7
  • FIG. 8B shows an embodiment which the optical element according to the present invention is applied to the imaging lens of FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 9A shows an unnecessary light occurring inside the imaging lens of FIG. 7
  • FIG. 9B shows an embodiment which the optical element according to the present invention is applied to the imaging lens of FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 10A shows an unnecessary light occurring inside the imaging lens of FIG. 7
  • FIG. 10B shows an embodiment which the optical element according to the present invention is applied to the imaging lens of FIG. 8 .
  • An optical element according to the present invention has a configuration which a light shielding configuration is provided at an edge part surrounding the circumference of an effective optical portion, or from a surface part to the inside of the same, or inside of the same, thereby can shield not only the unnecessary lights reflected on the surface of the optical element but the unnecessary lights reflected inside the optical element.
  • the above-mentioned light shielding area is formed by laser irradiation to the edge part.
  • the part which the laser irradiation is made produces heat, foams and is carbonized, thereby changes in quality and color.
  • various devices using such principle and capable of applying fine processing and marking have been developed and commercially available.
  • Such laser irradiation device for using a flat-bed method in which a head of the device moves toward a X-Y direction and irradiates a preliminary positioned work with a laser light, or a galvano method in which a laser irradiation point is changed by moving a mirror in a X-Y direction at high speed against the preliminary positioned work.
  • the above-mentioned laser irradiation device generates a wavelength from about 365 nm in the ultraviolet region to about 1064 nm in the infrared region, and the proper wavelength can be selected from various ones depending on the use.
  • a spot of the laser light of the irradiation may have a relative wide diameter from 1 ⁇ m or less to several tens ⁇ m.
  • an output of the laser irradiation also can be adjustable depending on the use. When the output is reduced, carbonization is suppressed, on the other hand, when the output is raised, the carbonization is promoted. Therefore, change of the color can be controlled from a soft color to a dark color.
  • An altered part made by the laser irradiation may be formed only on a surface part of a base material, or from the surface to the inside of the same, or only inside the base material.
  • Accuracy of the base material is maintained after laser irradiation, an optical characteristic as the optical element is maintained and shape accuracy of the edge part is also maintained.
  • the above-mentioned laser irradiation device is used for the optical element, and unnecessary lights passing through the optical element is shielded by forming the altered part (hereinafter, referred to as a light shielding area) inside the edge part of the optical element.
  • FIG. 1 shows an optical element according to the present invention.
  • an effective optical portion is the effective optical portion 101 to which an effective light enters and the effective optical portion 103 from which the effective light exits.
  • An edge part 102 is integrally formed at the circumference of an entrance surface 101 for surrounding the entrance surface 101
  • an edge part 104 is integrally formed at the circumference of an exit surface 103 for surrounding the exit surface 103 .
  • An optical element 100 is mounted on a positioning jig (not shown), and a laser irradiation device LD is disposed above an optical axis X with a fixed distance.
  • a light shielding area SSI is obtained by irradiating an inside of the edge part of the optical element 100 where the light shielding is necessary with the laser L.
  • irradiated part produces heat, foams and is carbonized, thereby changes in quality.
  • Such part changing in quality, namely an altered part becomes the light shielding area SSI capable of shielding the lights.
  • Parameters of a distance from the irradiation point of the laser L, an output of the laser L, a shape or size of a spot and irradiation time are appropriately determined so that light shielding characteristics as required can be obtained.
  • the unnecessary light SL passes through inside of the optical element 100 and is reflected on a plane surface part 102 a of the edge part 102 toward an outer periphery, the unnecessary light SL is shielded by the light shielding area SSI. Therefore, after the unnecessary light SL is reflected on the plane surface part 102 a , light reflection is prevented from repeating on various surfaces.
  • FIG. 2 shows an optical element according to the present invention.
  • the optical element 200 of FIG. 2 is formed from a surface of a plane surface part 202 a to an inside of an edge part 202 of the optical element 200 in a similar manner to FIG. 1 .
  • the unnecessary light SL toward the plane surface part 202 a of the edge part 202 is shielded at the light shielding area SSI before arriving at the plane surface part 202 a.
  • FIG. 3 shows a conventional optical element 100 ′ before forming the light shielding area SSI in the optical element 100 .
  • the unnecessary light SL travels from the inside of the optical element 100 ′ to the plane surface part 102 a of the edge part, the unnecessary light is reflected on the plane surface part 102 a toward the outer periphery, reflected on an outermost peripheral surface 102 b toward the plane surface part 104 a of the edge part, reflected on the plane surface part 104 a , and reflected on a surface 101 of the effective optical portion and exit outside the optical element 100 ′.
  • the unnecessary light SL repeating reflection inside the optical element exits and arrives at an image plane, ghosts and flares are generated and degradation of an image is occurred.
  • the optical element 100 , 100 ′ and 200 is, for example, a single lens incorporated in the imaging lens, and made a resin material for optical use, such as cyclo olefin polymer and polycarbonate.
  • the light shielding area SSI may be made of the optical element not only the resin material but optical glass material.
  • the laser irradiation device according to the present invention adopts a galvano method, however other method is applicable depending on a condition.
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view (right side) and a cross-sectional view (left side) when the light shielding area SSI is formed in the optical element 100 of FIG. 1 .
  • the light shielding area SSI in the optical element 100 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed in a strip-like shape on an inner surface of the edge part of the circumference of the effective optical portion.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show an enlarged view of FIG. 4A , and a diagram showing a pattern of a shape composing the light shielding area SSI.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of the light shielding area SSI formed by a plurality of ring zones continuing in the circumferential direction inside the edge part.
  • setting is made so that a ring zone width w 1 is 5.0 ⁇ m and an interval t 1 between adjacent ring zones is 4.5 ⁇ m, and the total width W is 100 ⁇ m.
  • a depth d of the ring zone in a cross-sectional direction is about 0.2 to 0.3 mm.
  • the light shielding area SSI having annular ring zones is obtained by irradiation with the laser light L concentrically or in a spiral manner.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of the light shielding area SSI formed by a plurality of ring zones continuing in a circumferential direction inside the edge part.
  • the light shielding area SSI is obtained by irradiation with the laser light L intermittently so that a size w 1 of a dot becomes 5.0 ⁇ m and an interval p of dots in the circumferential direction becomes 2.5 ⁇ m.
  • An interval w 1 between adjacent ring zones is set to 4.5 ⁇ m
  • the total width W is set to 100 ⁇ m
  • a total depth in a cross-sectional direction is set to about 0.2 to 0.3 mm.
  • the light shielding area SSI having annular ring zones is obtained by irradiation with the laser light L concentrically or in a spiral manner.
  • the dot-like and intermittent irradiation achieves forming uncarbonized resin material areas while being joined, and it is effective to prevent from reducing mechanical strength.
  • the configuration of the light shielding area SSI namely a shape of carbonization by the laser light L includes the annular ring zones having the planar continuity, or intermittent annular ring zones. Furthermore, the depth in the cross-sectional direction can be freely determined. These shape or depth can be controlled by incorporating an irradiation program into the device, for example, a grid-like structure or a stagger-like structure is available. In addition, a color after the carbonization can be controlled by appropriately adjusting an output of the laser light L in the irradiation program.
  • the width w of the ring zone and the size of the dot after the irradiation is set to 5.0 ⁇ m, however, sub-micron precision such as 0.1 ⁇ m or 0.2 ⁇ m is also available depending on purposes.
  • FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the conventional imaging lens 300 comprising six optical elements.
  • the imaging lens is housed with a lens assembly 301 comprising, in order from an object side (upper direction of Figure) to an image sensor IMG side (lower direction of Figure), a first lens L 1 , a second lens L 2 , a third lens L 3 , a fourth lens L 4 , a fifth lens L 5 and a sixth lens L 6 inside the barrel 302 .
  • An outer peripheral part of the edge part of the sixth lens L 6 located closest to the image sensor IMG side and an inner peripheral part of the barrel 302 are fixed with an adhesive 304 each other, and the imaging lens 300 is competed.
  • a lens material for forming each optical element a resin for optical use such as cyclo olefin polymer and polycarbonate is used.
  • the imaging lens 300 is used for the compact imaging lens mounted in a smartphone and mobile phone.
  • a filter IR such as an IR cut filter is arranged on the image sensor IMG side of the imaging lens 300 , and after the filter IR, the image sensor IMG such as CCD sensor or C-MOS sensor is disposed.
  • a camera module is configured to package the imaging lens 300 , the filter IR and the image sensor IMG.
  • Each lens comprises the effective optical portion (lens part) and the edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion.
  • the edge part of each lens is provided with a protrusion for fitting an adjacent lens.
  • the protrusion has an approximately trapezoidal shape which is formed with a conical inclined plane and a plane surface part connected to the inclined plane.
  • Centering of the first lens L 1 and the second lens L 2 is made by fixing an inclined plane L 1 b of the first lens L 1 and an inclined plane L 2 a of the second lens L 2 .
  • Centering of the second lens L 2 and the third lens L 3 is made by fixing an inclined plane L 2 b of the second lens L 2 and an inclined plane L 3 a of the third lens L 3 .
  • Centering the third lens L 3 and the fourth lens L 4 is made by fixing an inclined plane L 3 b of the third lens L 3 and an inclined plane L 4 a of the fourth lens L 4 .
  • Centering the fourth lens L 4 and the fifth lens L 5 is made by fixing an inclined plane L 4 b of the fourth lens L 4 and an inclined plane L 5 a of the fifth lens L 5 .
  • Centering the fifth lens L 5 and the sixth lens L 6 is made by fixing an inclined plane L 5 b of the fifth lens L 5 and an inclined plane L 6 a of the sixth lens L 6 .
  • the lens assembly 301 obtains a condition which centers of the first lens L 1 to the sixth lens L 6 coincide with an optical axis X.
  • an interval of lenses is determined by contacting the plane surface part connected to the inclined plane of the protrusion of the edge part of each lens to the plane surface part of the edge part of the adjacent lens.
  • the lens assembly 301 achieves an alignment of the optical axis X and positioning of an axis direction only by superposing each lens
  • the plane surface part L 1 a of the first lens L 1 contacts a receiving surface 302 a which is perpendicular to the optical axis X and formed on an inner surface of the barrel 302 , and positioning the direction of the optical axis X is made.
  • an outermost peripheral part L 1 c of the edge part of the first lens L 1 is fixed to an inner surface 302 b of the barrel 302 , a center of the lens assembly 301 and the center of the barrel 302 are coincide with the optical axis X.
  • an outer peripheral part of the edge part of the sixth lens L 6 and the inner surface of the barrel 302 are fixed with the adhesive 204 , and the imaging lens is completed.
  • Size of the outermost peripheral part of the edge part of the second lens L 2 to the sixth lens L 6 is determined as smaller than an inner diameter of the barrel so that accuracy of the positioned lens assembly 301 is maintained.
  • a light shielding plate 303 is arranged between each lens.
  • the light shielding plate 303 is made of a light shielding member is made from an annular plate having an opening at a center.
  • a diameter of the opening has a minimum size which does not disturb passage of luminous flux B 0 being effective lights entering the imaging lens 300 which forms an image on the optical axis X and luminous flux B 1 of lights entering at the maximum view angle and forming the image with a maximum image height, and lights entering from outside of the luminous flux B 1 is shielded.
  • the light shielding plate 303 is used for shielding the unnecessary light other than the effective lights.
  • FIG. 8A shows a condition that the unnecessary light is occurred in the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 7
  • FIG. 8B shows a condition that the unnecessary light is shielded using the optical element according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 8A shows a condition that the unnecessary light SL passes through the imaging lens 300 , is reflected on a surface of the filter IR and enters the sixth lens L 6 , after that, is reflected by the edge part on a subject side of the sixth lens L 6 and returns to the image sensor IMG side, passes through the filter IR and arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • the unnecessary light SL arriving at the image sensor IMG causes the ghosts and the flares appearing on the image, therefore the image quality becomes degraded.
  • FIG. 8B shows a condition that the light shielding area SSI is formed inside the edge part of the sixth lens L 6 of the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 8A , and the optical element according to the present invention is adopted in the imaging lens.
  • the unnecessary light SL reflected from the filter IR enters the sixth lens L 6 , and after that, is shielded by the light shielding area SSI, and is stopped without traveling any more. Therefore, the unnecessary light SL never arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • FIG. 9A shows a condition that the unnecessary light SL passes through the imaging lens 300 , is reflected on a surface of the filter IR and enters the sixth lens L 6 , after that, passes through the edge part on a subject side of the sixth lens L 6 and enters the edge part of the fifth lens L 5 , is reflected by the edge part on the subject side of the fifth lens L 5 , is further reflected on an outer peripheral surface of the edge part and returns to the image sensor IMG side, passes through the sixth lens L 6 and the filter IR and arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • the unnecessary light SL arriving at the image sensor IMG causes the ghosts and the flares appearing on the image, therefore the image quality becomes degraded.
  • FIG. 9B shows a condition that the light shielding area SSI is formed inside the edge part of the sixth lens L 6 of the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 9A , and the optical element according to the present invention is adopted in the imaging lens.
  • the unnecessary light SL is reflected on a surface of the filter IR and enters the sixth lens L 6 , and after that, passes through the edge part on the subject side of the sixth lens L 6 and is reflected on the edge part on the subject side of the fifth lens L 5 and on the outer peripheral surface of the edge part, and returns to the edge part of the sixth lens L 6 .
  • the unnecessary light SL is shielded by the light shielding area SSI and is stopped without traveling any more. Therefore, the unnecessary light SL never arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • FIG. 10A shows a condition that the unnecessary light SL occurred inside the imaging lens 300 passes through the edge part of each lens and arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • the unnecessary light arriving the image sensor IMG causes the ghosts and the flares appearing on the image, therefore the image quality becomes degraded.
  • FIG. 10B shows a condition that the light shielding area SSI is formed inside the edge part of the fifth lens L 5 of the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 9A , and the optical element according to the present invention is adopted in the imaging lens.
  • the unnecessary light SL which passed through the edge part on the image sensor IMG side of the third lens L 3 passes through the fitting part of the third lens L 3 and the fourth lens L 4 , is reflected on the outer inclined plane of the fitting protrusion of the fourth lens L 4 , passes through the fitting part of the fourth lens L 4 and the fifth lens L 5 , however shielded by the light shielding area SSI formed inside the edge part of the fifth lens L 5 , and is stopped without traveling any more. Therefore, the unnecessary light SL never arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • the optical element according to the present invention and imaging lens using the optical element is capable of effectively preventing from occurring the ghosts and the flares by forming the light shielding area for shielding the unnecessary light at an appropriate position inside the edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion.
  • the light shielding area is formed inside the edge part of a single lens in the imaging lens comprising a plurality of lenses, however it is not limited thereto.
  • the light shielding area may be formed inside the plurality of the edge parts of the imaging lens comprising a plurality of lenses, and be adopted to a device comprising one optical element.
  • light shielding area can be used only on the surface, not only from the surface to the inside, or the inside of the edge part. In this case, it can be replaced with the light shielding plate as a structural member of the imaging lens.
  • reflection inside the optical element can be effectively shielded and the optical characteristics and quality are improved when the present invention is adopted to the imaging device requiring high image quality.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Lens Barrels (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)

Abstract

The optical element 100 comprises an effective optical portion 101, 103 and an edge part 102, 104 forming at the circumference of the effective optical portion 101, 103. A light shielding area SSI which changes in quality by laser irradiation is provided from a surface to the inside of the edge part or the inside of the same.

Description

  • The present application is based on and claims priority of a Japanese patent application No. 2017-217548 filed on Nov. 10, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention
  • The present application relates to an optical element used in an imaging device, and also relates to an imaging lens using the optical element.
  • Description of the Related Art
  • In recent years, it becomes common that camera function is mounted in various products including information terminal equipment.
  • The camera mounted in such equipment and devices is required to have an imaging lens which is capable of reducing ghosts and flares and taking clear images. In order to reduce the ghosts and flares, it is necessary to shield unnecessary lights which do not contribute to form an image.
  • As a Conventional art, a lens for shielding unnecessary lights disclosed in Patent Document 1 (US2017/0176649A1) has been known
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging lens module including a plurality of lens elements of which at least one lens element is a plastic lens. Therein, at least one surface of an object-side surface or an image-side surface of the plastic lens of the plurality of the lens elements is provided with a fitting part for fitting other lens which is formed so as to surround the circumference of an effective optical portion. Furthermore, coating for absorbing lights is carried out to an area connecting the effective optical portion and the fitting part, reflected stray light is controlled, and quality of images are improved. Additionally, the imaging lens is disclosed which shields the stray light by arranging a light shielding sheet between the plurality of the lens elements.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • However, the imaging lens disclosed in the Patent Document 1 is only capable of shielding the lights on a surface part of a lens edge part, it is not enough for shielding the stray lights passing through inside of the lens and being reflected.
  • The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical element capable of controlling reflection of a stray light on a surface part and inside thereof by providing a light shielding configuration inside the optical element, and to provide an imaging lens using the optical element.
  • In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, an optical element according to the present invention is the optical element made of a resin material and comprising an effective optical portion and an edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion, and comprises a light shielding area inside of the edge part, or from the surface to the inside of the same.
  • In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, an imaging lens according to the present invention is the optical element made of a resin material and comprising an effective optical portion and an edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion, and comprises an optical element having the light shielding area inside of the edge part, or from a surface to inside of the same.
  • Effect of Invention
  • According to the present invention, it is possible to form a light shielding area at a required area inside the optical element made of the resin material when necessary, therefore, reflection of stray lights at a surface part of the optical element and inside of the optical element can be controlled, and ghosts and flares are reduced.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of an optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing reflection of unnecessary lights inside a conventional optical element.
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view and a cross-sectional view showing the optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4 showing an embodiment of the light shielding area.
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 4 showing an embodiment of the light shielding area.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a common imaging lens.
  • FIG. 8A shows an unnecessary light occurring inside the imaging lens of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B shows an embodiment which the optical element according to the present invention is applied to the imaging lens of FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 9A shows an unnecessary light occurring inside the imaging lens of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9B shows an embodiment which the optical element according to the present invention is applied to the imaging lens of FIG. 8.
  • FIG. 10A shows an unnecessary light occurring inside the imaging lens of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10B shows an embodiment which the optical element according to the present invention is applied to the imaging lens of FIG. 8.
  • An optical element according to the present invention has a configuration which a light shielding configuration is provided at an edge part surrounding the circumference of an effective optical portion, or from a surface part to the inside of the same, or inside of the same, thereby can shield not only the unnecessary lights reflected on the surface of the optical element but the unnecessary lights reflected inside the optical element.
  • The above-mentioned light shielding area is formed by laser irradiation to the edge part. The part which the laser irradiation is made produces heat, foams and is carbonized, thereby changes in quality and color. In recent years, various devices using such principle and capable of applying fine processing and marking have been developed and commercially available.
  • Such laser irradiation device is known for using a flat-bed method in which a head of the device moves toward a X-Y direction and irradiates a preliminary positioned work with a laser light, or a galvano method in which a laser irradiation point is changed by moving a mirror in a X-Y direction at high speed against the preliminary positioned work.
  • The above-mentioned laser irradiation device generates a wavelength from about 365 nm in the ultraviolet region to about 1064 nm in the infrared region, and the proper wavelength can be selected from various ones depending on the use. A spot of the laser light of the irradiation may have a relative wide diameter from 1 μm or less to several tens μm. Furthermore, an output of the laser irradiation also can be adjustable depending on the use. When the output is reduced, carbonization is suppressed, on the other hand, when the output is raised, the carbonization is promoted. Therefore, change of the color can be controlled from a soft color to a dark color.
  • An altered part made by the laser irradiation may be formed only on a surface part of a base material, or from the surface to the inside of the same, or only inside the base material.
  • Accuracy of the base material is maintained after laser irradiation, an optical characteristic as the optical element is maintained and shape accuracy of the edge part is also maintained.
  • According to the present invention, the above-mentioned laser irradiation device is used for the optical element, and unnecessary lights passing through the optical element is shielded by forming the altered part (hereinafter, referred to as a light shielding area) inside the edge part of the optical element.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail referring to the accompanying drawings.
  • FIG. 1 shows an optical element according to the present invention.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, an effective optical portion (lens part) is the effective optical portion 101 to which an effective light enters and the effective optical portion 103 from which the effective light exits. An edge part 102 is integrally formed at the circumference of an entrance surface 101 for surrounding the entrance surface 101, and an edge part 104 is integrally formed at the circumference of an exit surface 103 for surrounding the exit surface 103. An optical element 100 is mounted on a positioning jig (not shown), and a laser irradiation device LD is disposed above an optical axis X with a fixed distance.
  • A light shielding area SSI is obtained by irradiating an inside of the edge part of the optical element 100 where the light shielding is necessary with the laser L. When the irradiation with the laser L is made, irradiated part produces heat, foams and is carbonized, thereby changes in quality. Such part changing in quality, namely an altered part becomes the light shielding area SSI capable of shielding the lights. Parameters of a distance from the irradiation point of the laser L, an output of the laser L, a shape or size of a spot and irradiation time are appropriately determined so that light shielding characteristics as required can be obtained.
  • For example, when the unnecessary light SL passes through inside of the optical element 100 and is reflected on a plane surface part 102 a of the edge part 102 toward an outer periphery, the unnecessary light SL is shielded by the light shielding area SSI. Therefore, after the unnecessary light SL is reflected on the plane surface part 102 a, light reflection is prevented from repeating on various surfaces.
  • FIG. 2 shows an optical element according to the present invention.
  • The optical element 200 of FIG. 2 is formed from a surface of a plane surface part 202 a to an inside of an edge part 202 of the optical element 200 in a similar manner to FIG. 1. Herein, the unnecessary light SL toward the plane surface part 202 a of the edge part 202 is shielded at the light shielding area SSI before arriving at the plane surface part 202 a.
  • FIG. 3 shows a conventional optical element 100′ before forming the light shielding area SSI in the optical element 100. When the unnecessary light SL travels from the inside of the optical element 100′ to the plane surface part 102 a of the edge part, the unnecessary light is reflected on the plane surface part 102 a toward the outer periphery, reflected on an outermost peripheral surface 102 b toward the plane surface part 104 a of the edge part, reflected on the plane surface part 104 a, and reflected on a surface 101 of the effective optical portion and exit outside the optical element 100′. In such a manner, If the unnecessary light SL repeating reflection inside the optical element exits and arrives at an image plane, ghosts and flares are generated and degradation of an image is occurred.
  • As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the light shielding area SSI is formed at an appropriate position, inner reflection as shown in FIG. 3 can be prevented and the generation of the ghosts and the flares can be reduced.
  • The optical element 100, 100′ and 200 is, for example, a single lens incorporated in the imaging lens, and made a resin material for optical use, such as cyclo olefin polymer and polycarbonate. However, the light shielding area SSI may be made of the optical element not only the resin material but optical glass material. The laser irradiation device according to the present invention adopts a galvano method, however other method is applicable depending on a condition.
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view (right side) and a cross-sectional view (left side) when the light shielding area SSI is formed in the optical element 100 of FIG. 1.
  • The light shielding area SSI in the optical element 100 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed in a strip-like shape on an inner surface of the edge part of the circumference of the effective optical portion.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show an enlarged view of FIG. 4A, and a diagram showing a pattern of a shape composing the light shielding area SSI.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of the light shielding area SSI formed by a plurality of ring zones continuing in the circumferential direction inside the edge part. In such example, setting is made so that a ring zone width w1 is 5.0 μm and an interval t1 between adjacent ring zones is 4.5 μm, and the total width W is 100 μm. Furthermore, a depth d of the ring zone in a cross-sectional direction is about 0.2 to 0.3 mm. The light shielding area SSI having annular ring zones is obtained by irradiation with the laser light L concentrically or in a spiral manner.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of the light shielding area SSI formed by a plurality of ring zones continuing in a circumferential direction inside the edge part. The light shielding area SSI is obtained by irradiation with the laser light L intermittently so that a size w1 of a dot becomes 5.0 μm and an interval p of dots in the circumferential direction becomes 2.5 μm. An interval w1 between adjacent ring zones is set to 4.5 μm, the total width W is set to 100 μm, and a total depth in a cross-sectional direction is set to about 0.2 to 0.3 mm. The light shielding area SSI having annular ring zones is obtained by irradiation with the laser light L concentrically or in a spiral manner. The dot-like and intermittent irradiation achieves forming uncarbonized resin material areas while being joined, and it is effective to prevent from reducing mechanical strength.
  • As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration of the light shielding area SSI, namely a shape of carbonization by the laser light L includes the annular ring zones having the planar continuity, or intermittent annular ring zones. Furthermore, the depth in the cross-sectional direction can be freely determined. These shape or depth can be controlled by incorporating an irradiation program into the device, for example, a grid-like structure or a stagger-like structure is available. In addition, a color after the carbonization can be controlled by appropriately adjusting an output of the laser light L in the irradiation program. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the width w of the ring zone and the size of the dot after the irradiation is set to 5.0 μm, however, sub-micron precision such as 0.1 μm or 0.2 μm is also available depending on purposes.
  • FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the conventional imaging lens 300 comprising six optical elements. The imaging lens is housed with a lens assembly 301 comprising, in order from an object side (upper direction of Figure) to an image sensor IMG side (lower direction of Figure), a first lens L1, a second lens L2, a third lens L3, a fourth lens L4, a fifth lens L5 and a sixth lens L6 inside the barrel 302. An outer peripheral part of the edge part of the sixth lens L6 located closest to the image sensor IMG side and an inner peripheral part of the barrel 302 are fixed with an adhesive 304 each other, and the imaging lens 300 is competed. As a lens material for forming each optical element, a resin for optical use such as cyclo olefin polymer and polycarbonate is used.
  • The imaging lens 300 is used for the compact imaging lens mounted in a smartphone and mobile phone. A filter IR such as an IR cut filter is arranged on the image sensor IMG side of the imaging lens 300, and after the filter IR, the image sensor IMG such as CCD sensor or C-MOS sensor is disposed. A camera module is configured to package the imaging lens 300, the filter IR and the image sensor IMG.
  • Each lens comprises the effective optical portion (lens part) and the edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion. The edge part of each lens is provided with a protrusion for fitting an adjacent lens. The protrusion has an approximately trapezoidal shape which is formed with a conical inclined plane and a plane surface part connected to the inclined plane.
  • Centering of the first lens L1 and the second lens L2 is made by fixing an inclined plane L1 b of the first lens L1 and an inclined plane L2 a of the second lens L2. Centering of the second lens L2 and the third lens L3 is made by fixing an inclined plane L2 b of the second lens L2 and an inclined plane L3 a of the third lens L3. Centering the third lens L3 and the fourth lens L4 is made by fixing an inclined plane L3 b of the third lens L3 and an inclined plane L4 a of the fourth lens L4. Centering the fourth lens L4 and the fifth lens L5 is made by fixing an inclined plane L4 b of the fourth lens L4 and an inclined plane L5 a of the fifth lens L5. Centering the fifth lens L5 and the sixth lens L6 is made by fixing an inclined plane L5 b of the fifth lens L5 and an inclined plane L6 a of the sixth lens L6. Thus configured, the lens assembly 301 obtains a condition which centers of the first lens L1 to the sixth lens L6 coincide with an optical axis X.
  • Additionally, an interval of lenses is determined by contacting the plane surface part connected to the inclined plane of the protrusion of the edge part of each lens to the plane surface part of the edge part of the adjacent lens.
  • Therefore, the lens assembly 301 achieves an alignment of the optical axis X and positioning of an axis direction only by superposing each lens
  • When the above-described lens assembly 301 is stored in the barrel 302, the plane surface part L1 a of the first lens L1 contacts a receiving surface 302 a which is perpendicular to the optical axis X and formed on an inner surface of the barrel 302, and positioning the direction of the optical axis X is made. When an outermost peripheral part L1 c of the edge part of the first lens L1 is fixed to an inner surface 302 b of the barrel 302, a center of the lens assembly 301 and the center of the barrel 302 are coincide with the optical axis X. Thereafter, an outer peripheral part of the edge part of the sixth lens L6 and the inner surface of the barrel 302 are fixed with the adhesive 204, and the imaging lens is completed. Size of the outermost peripheral part of the edge part of the second lens L2 to the sixth lens L6 is determined as smaller than an inner diameter of the barrel so that accuracy of the positioned lens assembly 301 is maintained.
  • A light shielding plate 303 is arranged between each lens. The light shielding plate 303 is made of a light shielding member is made from an annular plate having an opening at a center. A diameter of the opening has a minimum size which does not disturb passage of luminous flux B0 being effective lights entering the imaging lens 300 which forms an image on the optical axis X and luminous flux B1 of lights entering at the maximum view angle and forming the image with a maximum image height, and lights entering from outside of the luminous flux B1 is shielded. The light shielding plate 303 is used for shielding the unnecessary light other than the effective lights.
  • Next, an optical element according to the present invention will be described regarding embodiments using the imaging lens 300.
  • FIG. 8A shows a condition that the unnecessary light is occurred in the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B shows a condition that the unnecessary light is shielded using the optical element according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 8A shows a condition that the unnecessary light SL passes through the imaging lens 300, is reflected on a surface of the filter IR and enters the sixth lens L6, after that, is reflected by the edge part on a subject side of the sixth lens L6 and returns to the image sensor IMG side, passes through the filter IR and arrives at the image sensor IMG. The unnecessary light SL arriving at the image sensor IMG causes the ghosts and the flares appearing on the image, therefore the image quality becomes degraded.
  • FIG. 8B shows a condition that the light shielding area SSI is formed inside the edge part of the sixth lens L6 of the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 8A, and the optical element according to the present invention is adopted in the imaging lens. As shown in FIG. 8B, the unnecessary light SL reflected from the filter IR enters the sixth lens L6, and after that, is shielded by the light shielding area SSI, and is stopped without traveling any more. Therefore, the unnecessary light SL never arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • FIG. 9A shows a condition that the unnecessary light SL passes through the imaging lens 300, is reflected on a surface of the filter IR and enters the sixth lens L6, after that, passes through the edge part on a subject side of the sixth lens L6 and enters the edge part of the fifth lens L5, is reflected by the edge part on the subject side of the fifth lens L5, is further reflected on an outer peripheral surface of the edge part and returns to the image sensor IMG side, passes through the sixth lens L6 and the filter IR and arrives at the image sensor IMG. The unnecessary light SL arriving at the image sensor IMG causes the ghosts and the flares appearing on the image, therefore the image quality becomes degraded.
  • FIG. 9B shows a condition that the light shielding area SSI is formed inside the edge part of the sixth lens L6 of the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 9A, and the optical element according to the present invention is adopted in the imaging lens. As shown in FIG. 9B, the unnecessary light SL is reflected on a surface of the filter IR and enters the sixth lens L6, and after that, passes through the edge part on the subject side of the sixth lens L6 and is reflected on the edge part on the subject side of the fifth lens L5 and on the outer peripheral surface of the edge part, and returns to the edge part of the sixth lens L6. After entering the sixth lens L6, the unnecessary light SL is shielded by the light shielding area SSI and is stopped without traveling any more. Therefore, the unnecessary light SL never arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • FIG. 10A shows a condition that the unnecessary light SL occurred inside the imaging lens 300 passes through the edge part of each lens and arrives at the image sensor IMG. The unnecessary light SL which passed through the edge part on the image sensor IMG side of the third lens L3 passes through the fitting part of the third lens L3 and the fourth lens L4, is reflected on the outer inclined plane of the fitting protrusion of the fourth lens L4, passes through the fitting part of the fourth lens L4 and the fifth lens L5, is reflected on the fitting inclined plane on the image sensor IMG side of the fifth lens L5 and returns to the subject side, is reflected on the plane surface part of the edge part on the subject side of the fifth lens L5, and after that, passes through the sixth lens L6 and the filter IR and arrives the image sensor IMG. The unnecessary light arriving the image sensor IMG causes the ghosts and the flares appearing on the image, therefore the image quality becomes degraded.
  • FIG. 10B shows a condition that the light shielding area SSI is formed inside the edge part of the fifth lens L5 of the imaging lens 300 of FIG. 9A, and the optical element according to the present invention is adopted in the imaging lens. As shown in FIG. 10B, the unnecessary light SL which passed through the edge part on the image sensor IMG side of the third lens L3 passes through the fitting part of the third lens L3 and the fourth lens L4, is reflected on the outer inclined plane of the fitting protrusion of the fourth lens L4, passes through the fitting part of the fourth lens L4 and the fifth lens L5, however shielded by the light shielding area SSI formed inside the edge part of the fifth lens L5, and is stopped without traveling any more. Therefore, the unnecessary light SL never arrives at the image sensor IMG.
  • As mentioned above, the optical element according to the present invention, and imaging lens using the optical element is capable of effectively preventing from occurring the ghosts and the flares by forming the light shielding area for shielding the unnecessary light at an appropriate position inside the edge part formed at the circumference of the effective optical portion.
  • In the above-mentioned embodiments, the light shielding area is formed inside the edge part of a single lens in the imaging lens comprising a plurality of lenses, however it is not limited thereto. The light shielding area may be formed inside the plurality of the edge parts of the imaging lens comprising a plurality of lenses, and be adopted to a device comprising one optical element. Furthermore, light shielding area can be used only on the surface, not only from the surface to the inside, or the inside of the edge part. In this case, it can be replaced with the light shielding plate as a structural member of the imaging lens.
  • According to the present invention, reflection inside the optical element can be effectively shielded and the optical characteristics and quality are improved when the present invention is adopted to the imaging device requiring high image quality.
  • DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
    • LD: laser irradiation device
    • L: laser light
    • 100, 100′, 200: optical element
    • 101, 103: effective optical portion (lens part)
    • 102, 102 a, 102 b, 202, 202 a, 104: edge part
    • SSI: light shielding area
    • SL: unnecessary light
    • X: optical axis
    • 300: imaging lens
    • 301: lens assembly
    • 302: barrel
    • 303: light shielding plate
    • 304: adhesive
    • L1: first lens,
    • L2: second lens,
    • L3: third lens,
    • L4: fourth lens,
    • L5: fifth lens,
    • L6: sixth lens,
    • L1 b, L2 a, L2 b, L3 a, L3 b, L4 a, L4 b, L5 a, L5 b, L6 a: lens fitting part
    • IR: filter
    • IMG: image sensor
    • B0: effective luminous flux on the optical axis
    • B1: effective luminous flux of high image height

Claims (14)

1. An optical element comprising an effective optical portion and an edge part formed at the circumference of said effective optical portion, wherein a light shielding area is provided inside of said edge part or from the surface to the inside of the same.
2. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said light shielding area is formed with an altered part which a base material changes in quality.
3. The optical element according to claim 2, wherein said altered part is formed continuously and linearly.
4. The optical element according to claim 2, wherein said altered part is formed like dot-shape and intermittently with an interval.
5. The optical element according to claim 3, wherein said altered part is formed all over the circumference of said effective optical portion.
6. The optical element according to claim 3, wherein a width of a line of said altered part formed continuously and linearly is 0.2 μm or more.
7. The optical element according to claim 4, wherein size of a dot of said altered part formed like dot-shape and intermittently with an interval is 0.2 μm or more.
8. An imaging lens comprising an optical element according to claim 1.
9. The optical element according to claim 4, wherein said altered part is formed all over the circumference of said effective optical portion.
10. An imaging lens comprising an optical element according to claim 2.
11. An imaging lens comprising an optical element according to claim 3.
12. An imaging lens comprising an optical element according to claim 4.
13. An imaging lens comprising an optical element according to claim 5.
14. An imaging lens comprising an optical element according to claim 6.
US16/185,977 2017-11-10 2018-11-09 Optical element with light shielding area, and imaging lens Active US10955660B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2017-217548 2017-11-10
JPJP2017-217548 2017-11-10
JP2017217548A JP2019090849A (en) 2017-11-10 2017-11-10 Optical element and image capturing lens

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20190317318A1 true US20190317318A1 (en) 2019-10-17
US10955660B2 US10955660B2 (en) 2021-03-23

Family

ID=66450102

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/185,977 Active US10955660B2 (en) 2017-11-10 2018-11-09 Optical element with light shielding area, and imaging lens

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US10955660B2 (en)
JP (1) JP2019090849A (en)
CN (2) CN109765676B (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11656456B2 (en) 2019-08-16 2023-05-23 Hoya Corporation Optical element and optical apparatus

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2019090849A (en) * 2017-11-10 2019-06-13 カンタツ株式会社 Optical element and image capturing lens
KR102360828B1 (en) * 2020-01-14 2022-02-09 (주) 큐알에스 Lens, lens group including the same and optical system for porcessing lens

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8213094B2 (en) * 2009-07-27 2012-07-03 Panasonic Corporation Lens barrel and imaging device
US20150077839A1 (en) * 2012-04-13 2015-03-19 Konica Minolta, Inc. Lens Unit
US20190084255A1 (en) * 2016-05-11 2019-03-21 Olympus Corporation Method of producing lens unit and method of producing imaging apparatus

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001350075A (en) * 2000-06-07 2001-12-21 Enplas Corp Image pickup lens
JP2002087834A (en) * 2000-09-14 2002-03-27 Japan Science & Technology Corp Method for machining transparent member by excimer laser and machined matter thereby
JP2003307663A (en) * 2002-04-18 2003-10-31 Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd Lens holder-integrated type lens unit
JP2005010442A (en) * 2003-06-19 2005-01-13 Nippon Sheet Glass Co Ltd Resin optical components and its manufacturing method
JP2010217279A (en) * 2009-03-13 2010-09-30 Konica Minolta Opto Inc Lens, lens unit and camera module
CN202025099U (en) * 2011-04-08 2011-11-02 一品光学工业股份有限公司 Shading piece-embedded type optical lens and optics lens thereof
TWM520143U (en) 2015-12-17 2016-04-11 大立光電股份有限公司 Imaging lens module and electronic device
CN206339783U (en) * 2016-12-10 2017-07-18 瑞声科技(新加坡)有限公司 Eyeglass and camera lens module
JP2019090849A (en) * 2017-11-10 2019-06-13 カンタツ株式会社 Optical element and image capturing lens

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8213094B2 (en) * 2009-07-27 2012-07-03 Panasonic Corporation Lens barrel and imaging device
US20150077839A1 (en) * 2012-04-13 2015-03-19 Konica Minolta, Inc. Lens Unit
US20190084255A1 (en) * 2016-05-11 2019-03-21 Olympus Corporation Method of producing lens unit and method of producing imaging apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11656456B2 (en) 2019-08-16 2023-05-23 Hoya Corporation Optical element and optical apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US10955660B2 (en) 2021-03-23
CN109765676A (en) 2019-05-17
JP2019090849A (en) 2019-06-13
CN209215713U (en) 2019-08-06
CN109765676B (en) 2023-03-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10955660B2 (en) Optical element with light shielding area, and imaging lens
US8455810B2 (en) Optical element, imaging optical system, and camera module
US10658171B2 (en) Wafer processing apparatus
EP3553581B1 (en) Lens structure, manufacturing method thereof, and camera
CN111624724B (en) Camera module and electronic device
US7505184B2 (en) Adjusting method of image reading apparatus and image reading apparatus
KR20150000387U (en) F- -theta objective
US11841499B2 (en) Optical element and imaging lens
JPH11109270A (en) Cylindrical lens and optical scanning device using same
JPWO2019159427A1 (en) Camera module adjustment device and camera module adjustment method
US20200359915A1 (en) Biological information obtaining device, biological information obtaining method, and wearable device
JP5191212B2 (en) Laser processing apparatus and laser processing method
JP4656393B2 (en) Light source device
KR20190049996A (en) F-theta lens and laser apparatus including thereof
US20210072519A1 (en) Imaging lens and manufacturing method of light-shielding element
KR100696396B1 (en) Laser beam processing apparatus
US10969676B2 (en) Photomask and exposure method
TWM510208U (en) Laser processing apparatus
US11402551B2 (en) Optical lens for a photodiode-equipped device
KR20190001846U (en) F-theta objective
US11942489B2 (en) Image reading device
KR100660352B1 (en) Spherical aberration improving structure in the optical system of manufacturing charge coupled device
US20200147730A1 (en) Laser based system for cutting transparent and semi-transparent substrates
JP2012191065A (en) Laser annealing apparatus and method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

AS Assignment

Owner name: KANTATSU CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OHTSU, NOBUYUKI;YOSHIKAWA, KOJI;REEL/FRAME:055295/0988

Effective date: 20210121

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

AS Assignment

Owner name: KANTATSU CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: CHANGE OF ADDRESS;ASSIGNOR:KANTATSU CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:057061/0113

Effective date: 20191001

AS Assignment

Owner name: TOKYO VISIONARY OPTICS CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KANTATSU CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:057109/0379

Effective date: 20210806